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What Do I Need To File My Taxes For 2019? Here’s Andre + Associates, PC’s Checklist

Oh, you thought that calendar on your phone was accurate, did you? You thought 2018 was DONE WITH. OVER. (Hurrah)?

Whoops. The fact is that over the following weeks and months, you will be reliving all of your financial decisions from 2018 while we put together your tax return.

We can't go back and undo any bad decisions, but we can certainly help you recover from them.

And also, in case you're wondering, yes, the government shutdown might affect tax season. We're still waiting on this one, with you. The IRS *just* announced that they WILL be issuing refunds during the shutdown, but it is yet to be seen how effective this will be. The filing deadline might even be impacted, as yet to be determined.

But you should make every effort to get your returns filed as early as possible, especially if you are expecting a refund. There are many reasons for this, from preventing fraud to simple peace of mind.

And of course, you already have an expert North Central Texas tax professional in your corner who can help with that.

Or you can do all of this on your own.

It can take you a LONG time (if you file yourself), or you can press that easy button and allow us to do it all on your behalf.

Either way, we're beginning this process, and we're looking forward to walking with you through it.

With all of the changes every year (and, of course, that's especially true THIS year), filing your taxes on your own is not for the faint of heart. That's even with nice-looking softwares on the market which purport to make it easy for you.

But that's what we're here for. Let us make it easy for you. If you’re asking yourself, "What do I need to file my taxes?" we’ve got you covered.

Below is a list of what you will need during the tax preparation process. Not all of them will apply to you — probably MOST will not. Nonetheless, it's a useful checklist.

Before you get overwhelmed: yes, this is a long list — but it's the unfortunate reality of our tax code that it's not even comprehensive! But these items will cover 95% of our clients. Really, this is for ensuring that we're able to help you keep every dollar you can keep under our tax code.

Also note: Certain deductions went away this year, that we're used to handling on behalf of our clients. And some that you might be used to as well. This list has changed a little, and I've notated additional changes coming down the pike.

But again … we will be your guide. That's what we're here for.

Even if for some strange reason you won't be using our cost-effective services this year, feel free to use this list as a handy guide…

Employment & Income DataW-2 forms for this yearTax refunds and unemployment compensation: Form 1099-GMiscellaneous income including rent: Form 1099-MISCPartnership and trust incomePensions and annuitiesAlimony receivedJury duty payGambling and lottery winningsPrizes and awardsScholarships and fellowshipsState and local income tax refundsUnemployment compensation

Health Insurance Information

NOTE — despite the passage of tax reform that changes this information for future tax years, we still need it for 2018 taxes.

Homeowner/Renter DataResidential address(es) for this yearMortgage interest: Form 1098Sale of your home or other real estate: Form 1099-SSecond mortgage interest paidReal estate taxes paidRent paid during tax yearMoving expenses (note: only applies if you were in the armed forces in 2018)

Financial AssetsInterest income statements: Form 1099-INT & 1099-OIDDividend income statements: Form 1099-DIVProceeds from broker transactions: Form 1099-BRetirement plan distribution: Form 1099-RCapital gains or losses

Financial LiabilitiesAuto loans and leases (account numbers and car value) if vehicle used for businessStudent loan interest paidEarly withdrawal penalties on CDs and other fixed time deposits

ExpensesGifts to charity (receipts for any single donations of $250 or more)Unreimbursed expenses related to volunteer workInvestment expensesJob-hunting expensesEducation expenses (tuition and fees)Child care expensesMedical Savings AccountsAdoption expensesAlimony paid (note: this deduction will no longer be in place in 2019)

Self-Employment DataEstimated tax vouchers for the current yearSelf-employment taxSelf-employment SEP plansSelf-employed health insuranceK-1s on all partnershipsReceipts or documentation for business-related expensesFarm income

Deduction DocumentsState and local income taxes (note: $10,000 limit on these for 2018)IRA, Keogh and other retirement plan contributionsMedical expensesOther miscellaneous deductions

An important thing to understand is that we will guide you through the process, and that although much has changed this year, we are on top of these changes on your behalf.

The IRS will not shut down (Good News) but they are way behind on their work (Bad News). The good ..

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ANDRE + ASSOCIATES, PC

Our Firm was started by Keith Andre in 1986. He purchased a small bookkeeping and tax business in McKinney, TX. In 1989 he hired his first employee, and now we have eighteen employees and two contract people. As the city has grown, so have we. We value the relationships we have with our clients.